Camera module

ABSTRACT

A camera module is provided. The camera module includes a number of camera assembles. Each of the camera assembles includes a lens unit and an electromagnetic driving unit. The electromagnetic driving unit includes at least one magnetic element for controlling the movement of the corresponding lens unit. The distance between two of the magnetic elements, which are closest to each other and respectively positioned in two of the camera assemblies, is greater than the distance between two of the light through holes, to which the two of the camera assemblies are arranged to correspond.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of Taiwan Patent Application No.104120104, filed on Jun. 23, 2015, the entirety of which is incorporatedby reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a camera module, and more particularlyto a camera module with multiple lens units.

Description of the Related Art

Using conventional 3D photography techniques, images are capturedthrough two lenses with a certain pitch, parallelism, and the samerotation/tilt angle (i.e., the same optical axis direction). Moreover,the recorded images are displayed to a user's right and left eyes via aspecial display device (such as 3D glasses).

Generally, as the pitch between the two lenses increases, imagesobtained by the two lenses are apparently different, which causes anincrease in processing time for a processing system to process the imageinformation, and the processed images are barely satisfactory. On thecontrary, as the pitch between the two lenses decreases, images obtainedby the two lenses are similar. Thus, the time required for processingthe images is reduced. In addition, clear and sharp images can beobtained. However, for a camera module with dual lenses, if the pitchbetween the two lenses is less than a particular value, the two lensesmay not operate normally (e.g., a failure of the OIS function) due tomagnetic force interference. Therefore, how to set the ideal pitchbetween the two lenses without causing a failure of a predeterminedoperation is desired by manufacturers.

SUMMARY

To address the problems in the prior art, one of the objectives of thedisclosure is to provide a camera module with at least two cameraassemblies. By separating two of the neighboring camera assemblies withsuitable pitches, the camera module is able to operate normally andprocess 3D images in a relatively short time.

In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, the camera moduleincludes a plurality of camera assemblies. Each of the camera assembliesis configured to receive and detect light passing through one of thelight guiding holes and includes a lens unit and an electromagneticdriving unit. The electromagnetic driving unit includes at least onemagnetic element for controlling the movement of the lens unit. Thedistance between two of the magnetic elements, which are closest to eachother and respectively positioned in a first and a second of the cameraassemblies, is greater than the distance between two of the lightthrough holes, to which the first and the second of the cameraassemblies are arranged to correspond.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, the first and the second of thecamera assemblies are respectively configured to receive and detectlight passing through two light guiding holes.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, the first of the camera assembliesincludes an OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer) adapter for controlling themovement of the lens unit in the first of the camera assemblies along adirection perpendicular to an optical axis thereof. In addition, thesecond of the camera assemblies includes a VCM (voice coil motor) forcontrolling the movement of the lens unit in the second of the cameraassemblies along the optical axis thereof. The first and the second ofthe first and the second camera assemblies each includes an opticalsensor, and a plane on which the optical sensor of the first of thecamera assemblies is located is perpendicular to the plane on which theoptical sensor of the second of the camera assemblies is located.

Alternatively, the first of the camera assemblies includes an OISadapter for controlling the movement of the lens unit in the first ofthe camera assemblies along a direction perpendicular to an optical axisthereof. In addition, the second of the camera assemblies includes anOIS adapter for controlling the movement of the lens unit in the secondof the camera assemblies along a direction perpendicular to an opticalaxis thereof. The first and the second of the first and the secondcamera assemblies each includes an optical sensor, and a plane on whichthe optical sensor of the first of the camera assemblies is located isparallel to a plane on which the optical sensor of the second of thecamera assemblies is located.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, the camera module further includes alight guiding assembly arranged to be adjacent to the first of thecamera assemblies and configured to guide the light, passing through thelight guiding hole to which the first of the camera assemblies isarranged to correspond, to the first of the camera assemblies

In the above-mentioned embodiments, the light guiding assembly includesa light path control unit and a switching unit. The light path controlunit is pivotable about a rotation axis so as to guide the light passingthrough a first and a second of the light guiding holes which arearranged to be facing one another to the first of the camera assemblies.The switching unit includes a magnetic element configured to control therotation angle of the light path control unit, wherein a distancebetween the magnetic element of the switching unit and the magneticelement of the second of the camera assemblies is greater than adistance between the first of the light guiding holes corresponding tothe first of the camera assemblies and a third of the light guidingholes corresponding to the second of the camera assemblies.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, the light guiding assembly isselected from a group consisting of a prism, a reflective mirror, and arefraction mirror.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, the magnetic element is selectedfrom a magnet or a yoke.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the embodiments and the advantagesthereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an electronic device, in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a camera module, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of some elements of an electronic device,in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of some elements of an electronic device,in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of some elements of an electronic deviceand corresponding light guiding holes, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of an electronic device, in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a camera module, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of some elements of an electronic deviceand corresponding light guiding holes, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of an electronic device, in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of a camera module, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of some elements of an electronic deviceand corresponding light guiding holes, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the interference rate of an anti-vibrationelectronic-magnetic control unit in relation to an magnetic element inanother camera assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation,numerous specific details and embodiments are set forth in order toprovide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. The specificelements and configurations described in the following detaileddescription are set forth in order to clearly describe the presentdisclosure. It will be apparent, however, that the exemplar) embodimentsset forth herein are used merely for the purpose of illustration, andthe inventive concept may be embodied in various forms without beinglimited to those exemplary embodiments. In addition, the drawings ofdifferent embodiments may use like and/or corresponding numerals todenote like and/or corresponding elements in order to clearly describethe present disclosure. However, the use of like and/or correspondingnumerals in the drawings of different embodiments does not suggest anycorrelation between different embodiments.

In this specification, relative expressions are used. For example,“lower”, “bottom”, “higher” or “top” are used to describe the positionof one element relative to another. It should be appreciated that if adevice is flipped upside down, an element at a “lower” side will becomean element at a “higher” side.

The terms “about” and “substantially” typically mean +/−20% of thestated value, more typically +/−10% of the stated value and even moretypically +/−5% of the stated value. The stated value of the presentdisclosure is an approximate value. When there is no specificdescription, the stated value includes the meaning of “about” or“substantially”.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic via of a camera module 10 a applied to anelectronic device 1 a, in accordance with some embodiments. Theelectronic device 1 a may be a hand-held electronic device, such as amobile phone, tablet, or note-book. Alternatively, the electronic device1 a may be a wearable electronic device, such as a watch. Alternatively,the electronic device 1 a may be an automotive electronic device, suchas a dash-mounted digital video recorder.

In accordance with some embodiments, the electronic device 1 a includesa housing 5 a and a camera module 10 a. The camera module 10 a isarranged to correspond to light guiding holes formed on the housing 5 afor facilitating 3D photography. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, thehousing 5 a has a first surface 51 a and a second surface 52 a facingthe first surface 51 a. Two light guiding holes, such as light guidingholes 511 a and 512 a, are formed on the first surface 51 a. The twolight guiding holes 511 a and 512 a define two channels enabling lightto enter the housing 5 a. The camera module 10 a is arranged tocorrespond to two light guiding holes 511 a and 512 a and positioned inthe housing 5 a for receiving and detecting light L1 and L2.

In some embodiments, the two light guiding holes 511 a and 512 a eachhas a circular shape and has the same pore size. However, the disclosureshould not be limited thereto. The pore size and the shape of the twolight guiding holes 511 a and 512 a can vary according to demand. Insome embodiments, the two light guiding holes 511 a and 512 a areseparated from one another by a distance, and the light guiding hole 511a is not communicated to the light guiding hole 512.

It should be appreciated that the numbers of the light guiding holesformed on the housing 5 a should not to be limited to theabove-mentioned embodiments. In some embodiments, three (or more) lightguiding holes are formed on a single surface of the housing 5 a so as toproduce images in a specific format. In some embodiments, the housing 5a is omitted, and a number of light guiding holes are formed on thecamera module 10 a. The camera module 10 a receives and detects lightpassing through the light guiding holes. Details regarding to thefeature will be described in the description below.

Referring to FIG. 2, in accordance with some embodiments, the cameramodule 10 a includes a number of camera assemblies for receiving anddetecting light passing through the corresponding light guiding holes.For example, the camera module 10 a includes two camera assemblies, suchas camera assemblies 20 and 30. The camera assembly is configured toreceive and detect light L1 passing through the light guiding hole 511 aof the housing 5 a. The camera assembly is configured to receive anddetect light L2 passing through the light guiding hole 512 a of thehousing 5 a. For the purposes of illustration, in the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-5, the camera assembly 20 is referred to as the first cameraassembly, and the camera assembly 30 is referred to as the second cameraassembly.

Referring to FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the first camera assembly 20includes a shield 21, a lens supporting unit 22, a lens unit 23, anoptical sensor 24, and at least one electromagnetic driving unit. Theshield 21 defines an accommodation space, and an opening 211 (FIG. 2) isformed on the front surface of the shield 21. In some embodiments, thelens holding unit 22, the lens unit 23, the optical element 24, and theelectromagnetic driving unit are positioned in the accommodation space.

In some embodiments, the lens holding unit 22 is positioned inside ofthe shield 21 and is movable relative to the optical sensor 24. Forexample, the lens holding unit 22 is suspended in the shield 21 viaflexible wire.

The lens holding unit 22 is configured to hold the lens unit 23. In someembodiments, the lens holding unit 22 defines a channel corresponding tothe opening 211 (FIG. 2). The lens unit 23 is positioned in the channelof the lens holding unit 22, so that the optical axis O1 and the lensholding unit 23 is parallel to the X-axis shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 andpasses through the opening 211. The optical sensor 24 is disposed behindthe lens unit 23. To produce an image, the light passing through theopening 211 is transmitted along the optical axis O1 and is received bythe lens unit 23. Afterwards, the light is transmitted to the opticalsensor 24, and the optical sensor 24 detects the light and produces asignal for imaging. The optical sensor 24 may include an image sensorconsisting of light-sensing elements such as CCD and CMOS.

In some embodiments, one of the electromagnetic driving units of thefirst camera assembly 20 is an anti-vibration electromagnetic drivingunit 25. The anti-vibration electromagnetic driving unit 25 isconfigured to control the movement of the lens holding unit 22 indirections (Y-axis and Z-axis as shown in FIG. 3) perpendicular to theoptical axis O1.

In some embodiments, the anti-vibration electromagnetic driving unit 25includes an OIS (optical imaging stabilizer) adapter, and a movementdetector (not shown in figures). The OIS adapter includes two Y-axismagnetic elements 271 and 273, two Z-axis magnetic elements 272 and 274,two Y-axis coils 261 and 263, and two Z-axis coils 262 and 264. In someembodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the two Y-axis magnetic elements 271and 273 are positioned on two opposite sides of the inner surface of theshield 21. The two Y-axis coils 261 and 263 are positioned on the twoopposite sides of the lens holding unit 22 and are arranged tocorrespond to the two Y-axis magnetic elements 271 and 273.Additionally, the two Z-axis magnetic elements 272 and 274 arepositioned on two opposite sides of the inner surface of the shield 21.The two Z-axis coils 262 and 264 are positioned on the two oppositesides of the lens holding unit 22 and are arranged to correspond to thetwo Z-axis magnetic elements 272 and 274.

In some embodiments, the movement detector of the anti-vibrationelectromagnetic driving unit 25 is positioned on the lens holding unit22 and are arranged to correspond to the two Y-axis magnetic elements271 and 273, and the two Z-axis magnetic elements 272 and 274. Themovement detector determines the shifting value of the lens holding unitalong the Y-axis and Z-axis by detecting magnetic field change andproduces a signal according to the detection results. A controller (notshown in figures) of the camera module 10 a issues electric current tothe two Y-axis magnetic elements 271 and 273 and the two Z-axis magneticelements 272 and 274 according to the signal detected from the movementdetector to perform a compensatory motion. The two Y-axis magneticelements 271 and 273 and the two Z-axis magnetic elements 272 and 274may be magnets or yokes.

In some embodiments, another electromagnetic driving unit of the firstcamera assembly 20 includes an AF electromagnetic driving unit (notshown in figures). The AF electromagnetic driving unit includes a motorconnected to the lens holding unit 22 so as to drive the lens unit 23 tolinearly move along the optical axis O1. As a result, the position ofthe lens unit 23 relative to the optical sensor 24 can vary forfacilitating a change of the focal length to auto-focus. The AFelectromagnetic driving unit may be a voice coil motor or a step motor.

Referring to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the first camera assembly 30includes a shield 31, a lens supporting unit 32, a lens unit 33, anoptical sensor 34, and at least one electromagnetic driving unit. Theshield 31 defines an accommodation space, and an opening 311 (FIG. 3) isformed on the front surface of the shield 31. In some embodiments, thelens holding unit 32, the lens unit 33, the optical element 34, and theelectromagnetic driving unit are positioned in the accommodation space.

In some embodiments, the lens holding unit 32 is positioned inside ofthe shield 31 and is movable relative to the optical sensor 34. Forexample, the lens holding unit 32 is suspended in the shield 31 via twoflexible sheets 36 and 37.

The lens holding unit 32 is configured to hold the lens unit 33. In someembodiments, the lens holding unit 32 defines a channel corresponding tothe opening 311 (FIG. 3). The lens unit 33 is positioned in the channelof the lens holding unit 32, so that the optical axis O1 and the lensholding unit 33 is parallel to the X-axis shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 andpasses through the opening 311. The optical sensor 34 is disposed behindthe lend unit 33. To produce an image, the light passing through theopening 311 is transmitted along the optical axis O2 and is received bythe lens unit 33. Afterwards, the light is objected to the opticalsensor 34, and the optical sensor 34 detects the light and produces asignal for imaging. The optical sensor 34 may include an image sensorconsisting of light-sensing elements such as CCD and CMOS.

It should be appreciated that the optical sensor 24 of the first cameraassembly 20 and the optical sensor 34 of the second camera assembly 30are located on different planes. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, theplane on which the optical sensor 24 of the first camera assembly 20 islocated is perpendicular to the plane on which the optical sensor 34 ofthe second camera assembly 30 is located.

Referring to FIG. 4 again, in some embodiments, the electromagneticdriving unit 35 of the second camera assembly 30 is a VCM (voice coilmotor). The voice coil motor includes a coil 351 and a magnetic element352. The coil 351 is disposed on the upper housing member 313 of thelens holding unit 32. During the operation of the second camera assembly30, the controller (not shown in figures) of the camera module 10 aissues electric current to the coil 351 so as drive the lens unit 33 tolinearly move along the optical axis O2. As a result, the position ofthe lens unit 33 relative to the optical sensor 34 can vary forfacilitating the change of the focal length to auto-focus. The magneticelement 352 may be a magnet or a yoke.

Referring to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the camera module 10 a furtherincludes a light guiding assembly 40 a. The light guiding assembly 40 ais positioned between the first and the second camera assemblies 20 and30 and is arranged to be adjacent to the second camera assembly 30. Thelight guiding assembly 40 a is configured to guide light passing throughthe light guiding hole 512 a to the second camera assembly 30. In someembodiments, the light guiding assembly 40 a includes areflection/refraction surface 401 a which is arranged in a 45 degreesangle relative to the light guiding hole 512 a and directly faces thelight guiding hole 512 a. The reflection/deflection surface 401 a isconfigured to redirect the light L2 transmitted along the X-axisdirection shown in FIG. 2 to a direction parallel to the optical axis O2(FIG. 4) of the lens unit 33. The light guiding assembly 40 a may be aprism, a reflection mirror, or a refraction mirror.

In some embodiments, the light guiding assembly 40 a is omitted, and thecamera assembly 30 includes one or more optical elements, such as prismor reflection mirror. The optical element is configured to redirect thelight L2 transmitted along the X-axis direction shown in FIG. 2 to adirection parallel to the optical axis O2 (FIG. 4) of the lens unit 33.The optical element may be positioned in the shield of the cameraassembly. In this case, the plane on which the opening of the secondcamera assembly is located is parallel to the plane on which the opening211 of the shield 21 is located. Therefore, the opening 211 of the firstcamera assembly and the opening of the camera assembly serve as thelight guiding holes. The camera module receives and detects lightpassing through the two light guiding holes.

As shown in FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the two magnetic elements 271and 352 are separated by a distance of D2. The two magnetic elements 271and 352 are two magnetic elements which are respectively positioned inthe first and the second camera assemblies 20 and 30 and closest to eachother. In addition, the light guiding holes 511 a and 512 a,respectively corresponding to the camera module 20 and 30, are separatedby a distance of D1. The distance D2 is greater than the distance D1. Asa result, in cases where the electromagnetic driving unit 25 of thefirst camera assembly 20 is operating normally, the distance between thetwo light guiding holes 511 a and 512 a is minimized, and thus the imagequality and the image processing rate of the camera module 10 a in a 3Dphotography operation are improved.

Table (1) shows distances between the magnetic element 352 of the secondcamera assembly 30 and the magnetic elements 271, 272, 273, and 274 ofthe first camera assembly 20 in cases where the two light guiding holes511 a and 512 a are separated by a distance of 10 mm and theelectromagnetic driving unit 25 is operating normally. The unit of table(1) is millimeter. It is appreciated that table (1) is an exemplarycase, and the disclosure should not be limited thereto.

TABLE 1 Magnetic Distance in Distance in Distance in Linear ElementX-axis Y-axis Z-axis Distance 271 2.5977 15.605 3.4 16.181 272 2.597720.2 1.195 20.4014 273 2 5977 24.795 3.4 25.1615 274 2 5977 20.2 7.99521.8794

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a camera module 10 b being applied toan electronic device 1 b, in accordance with some embodiments. Theelectronic device 1 b may be a hand-held electronic device, such as amobile phone, tablet, or note-book. Alternatively, the electronic device1 b may be a wearable electronic device, such as a watch. Alternatively,the electronic device 1 b may be an automotive electronic device, suchas a dashboard-mounted digital video recorder.

In accordance with some embodiments, the electronic device 1 b includesa housing 5 b and a camera module 10 b. The camera module 10 b isarranged to correspond to light guiding holes formed on the housing 5 bfor facilitating 3D photography or 2D photography. For example, as shownin FIG. 6, the housing 5 b has a first surface 51 b and a second surface52 b facing the first surface 51 b. Two light guiding holes, such aslight guiding holes 511 b and 512 b, are formed on the first surface 51b. In addition, one light guiding hole, such as light guiding hole 521 bis formed on the second surface 52 b. The three light guiding holes 511b, 512 b, and 521 b define three channels enabling light to enter thehousing 5 b. The camera module 10 b is arranged to correspond to thethree light guiding holes 511 b, 512 b, and 521 b and is positioned inthe housing 5 a for receiving and detecting light L1, L2, and L3.

In some embodiments, the three light guiding holes 511 b, 512 b, and 521b each has a circular shape and has the same pore size. However, thedisclosure should not be limited thereto. The pore size and the shape ofthe three light guiding holes 511 b, 512 b, and 521 b can vary accordingto demand. In some embodiments, both of the light guiding holes 511 band 512 b have the same shape and pore size, and the shape and pore sizeof the light guiding holes 511 b and 512 b is different from that of thelight guiding hole 521 b. In some embodiments, the two light guidingholes 511 b and 512 b are separated from one another by a distance, andthe light guiding hole 511 a does not communicate with the light guidinghole 512 b. In some embodiments, the two light guiding holes 511 b and512 b are separated by a distance of less than 10 mm.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of the camera module 10 b. In FIG. 7,elements that are identical with or similar to the elements of thecamera module 10 a shown in FIG. 2 are designated by the same referencenumber, and the features thereof are not repeated for the purpose ofbrevity. The difference between the camera module 10 b and the cameramodule 10 a includes the light guiding assembly 40 a being replaced bythe light guiding assembly 40 b.

The camera assemblies 20 and 30 are configured to receive and detectlight passing through the corresponding light guiding holes. Forexample, the camera assembly 20 is configured to receive and detectlight L1 passing through the light guiding hole 511 b (FIG. 6) of thehousing 5 b. In addition, the camera assembly 30 is configured toreceive and detect light L2 passing through the light guiding hole 512 b(FIG. 6) of the housing 5 b. Alternatively, the camera assembly 30 isconfigured to receive and detect light L3 passing through the lightguiding hole 521 b (FIG. 6) of the housing 5 b. For the purposes ofillustration, in the embodiments of FIGS. 6-8, the camera assembly 20 isreferred to as the first camera assembly, and the camera assembly 30 isreferred to as the second camera assembly.

The light guiding assembly 40 b is configured to selectively guide lightL2 and L3 passing through the light guiding holes 512 b and 521 b to thesecond camera assembly 30. In some embodiments, the light guidingassembly 40 b includes a base 41 b, a light path control unit 42 b, anda switching unit 43 b. The base 41 b extends from a first side 411 b toa second side 412 b. The first camera assembly 20 is arranged to beadjacent to the first side 411 b. The first camera assembly 20 may beconnected to the base 41 b or separated from the base 41 b by adistance. The second camera assembly 30 is arranged to be adjacent tothe second side 412 b and is connected to the base 41 b via the lowerhousing member 315. The lower housing member 315 and the upper housingmember 313 are located at two opposite side of the second cameraassembly 30.

The light path control unit 42 b is located between the first cameraassembly 20 and the second camera assembly 30 and is disposed on thebase 41 b. The light path control unit 42 b is pivotable about arotation axis P. The light path control unit 42 b includes a first lightguiding element 421 b and a second light guiding element 422 b. In someembodiments, the first and the second light guiding elements 421 b and422 b each includes a reflection/refraction surface, and an includedangle is formed between the reflection/refraction surfaces. The firstand the second light guiding elements 421 b and 422 b may be prisms,reflection mirrors, or refraction mirrors.

The switching unit 43 b is disposed in the base 41 b and is configuredto actuate the path control unit 42 b to rotate about the rotation axisP so as to control the rotation angle of the light path control unit 42b relative to the light guiding holes 512 b and 521 b. In someembodiments, the switching unit 43 is an electrical valve that includesa magnetic element. However, the disclosure should not be limitedthereto. The switching unit 43 b may be a step motor, DC motor or thelike.

The switching unit 43 b may be operated in at least two states so as toactuate the light path control unit 42 b to rotate about the rotationaxis P by the principle of electromagnetic induction. For example, whenthe switching unit 43 b is operated in a first state, the first lightguiding element 421 b of the light path control unit 42 b directly facesthe light guiding hole 512 b and is arranged at an angle, such as 45degrees, relative to the light L2 passing through the light guiding hole512 b. At this time, the light L2 passing through the light guiding hole512 b is directed to the second camera assembly 30 via the first lightguiding element 421 b. The camera module 10 b utilizes the first and thesecond camera assemblies 20 and 30 to capture an image for facilitating3D photography.

When the switching unit 43 b is operated in a second state, the secondlight guiding element 422 b of the light path control unit 42 b directlyfaces the light guiding hole 521 b and is arranged at an angle, such as45 degrees, relative to the light L3 passing through the light guidinghole 521 b. At this time, the light L3 passing through the light guidinghole 521 b is directed to the second camera assembly 30 via the secondlight guiding element 422 b. The camera module 10 b utilizes the firstcamera assembly 20 and/or the second camera assembly 30 to capture animage for facilitating 2D photography.

As shown in FIG. 8, in some embodiments, the magnetic element 271 andthe magnetic element of the switching unit 43 b are separated by adistance of D3. In addition, the light guiding holes 511 b and 512 b,respectively corresponding to the camera module 20 and 30, are separatedby a distance of D1. The distance D3 is greater than the distance D1. Asa result, in cases where the electromagnetic driving unit 25 isoperating normally, the distance between the two light guiding holes 511b and 512 b is minimized. Moreover, the image quality and the imageprocessing rate of the camera module 10 b performing a 3D photographyoperation are improved. Additionally, the camera module 10 is able toperform a 2D photography operation via the light guiding hole 521 b.

Table (2) shows distances between the magnetic element of the switchingunit 43 b and the magnetic elements 271, 272, 273, and 274 of the firstcamera assembly 20 in cases where the two light guiding holes 511 a and512 a are separated by a distance of 10 mm and the electromagneticdriving unit 25 is operating normally. The unit of table (2) ismillimeter. It is appreciated that table (2) shows an exemplary case,and the disclosure should not be limited thereto.

TABLE 2 Magnetic Distance in Distance in Distance in Linear ElementX-axis Y-axis Z-axis Distance 271 2.9877 5.0050 7.2100 9.2715 272 2.98779.6000 11.805 15.5063 273 2.9877 14.195 7.2100 16.199 274 2.9877 9.60002.6150 10.3887

FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of a camera module 10 c being applied toan electronic device 1 c, in accordance with some embodiments. Theelectronic device 1 c may be a hand-held electronic device, such as amobile phone, tablet, or note-book. Alternatively, the electronic device1 c may be a wearable electronic device, such as a watch. Alternatively,the electronic device 1 c may be an automotive electronic device, suchas a dashboard digital video recorder.

In accordance with some embodiments, the electronic device 1 c includesa housing 5 c and a camera module 10 c. The camera module 10 c isarranged to correspond to light guiding holes formed on the housing 5 cfor facilitating 3D photography or 2D photography. For example, as shownin FIG. 9, the housing 5 c has a first surface 51 c and a second surface52 c opposite to the first surface 51 c. Two light guiding holes, suchas light guiding holes 511 c and 512 c, are formed on the first surface51 b. In addition, two light guiding holes, such as light guiding holes521 c and 522 c, are formed on the second surface 52 b. The lightguiding holes 511 c, 512 c. 521 c, and 522 c define four channelsenabling light to enter the housing 5 c. The camera module 10 c isarranged to correspond to the three light guiding holes 511 c, 512 c,521 c, and 522 c and is positioned in the housing 5 c for receiving anddetecting light L1, L2, L3, and L4.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of the camera module 10 c. In FIG. 10,elements that are identical with or similar to the element of the cameramodule 10 b shown in FIG. 7 are designated by the same reference number,and the features thereof are not repeated for the purpose of brevity.The difference between the camera module 10 c and the camera module 10 bincludes the omission of the camera assembly 30 and the camera module 10including two camera assemblies 20 and two light guiding assemblies 40b.

The two camera assemblies 20 are configured to receive and detect lightpassing through the corresponding light guiding holes of the housing 5c. For example, the camera assembly 20 at the left side of FIG. 10 isconfigured to receive and detect light L1 passing through the lightguiding hole 511 c (FIG. 9) of the housing 5 c or light L3 passingthrough the light guiding hole 521 c (FIG. 9) of the housing 5 c. Thecamera assembly 20 at the right side of the FIG. 10 is configured toreceive and detect light L2 passing through the light guiding hole 512 c(FIG. 9) of the housing 5 c or light L4 passing through the lightguiding hole 522 c (FIG. 9) of the housing 5 c.

The two light guiding assemblies 40 b are configured to selectivelyguide light L2 and L3 passing through the light guiding holes 512 b and521 b to the camera assembly 20. For example, the light guidingassemblies 40 b at the left side of FIG. 10 are configured toselectively guide light L1 or L3, passing through the two light guidingholes 511 b and 521 b, to the camera assembly 20 at the left side ofFIG. 10. The two light guiding holes 511 b and 521 b are arranged toface one another. The light guiding assembly 40 b at the right side ofFIG. 10 is configured to selectively guide light L2 or L4, passingthrough the two light guiding holes 512 b and 522 b, to the cameraassembly 20 at the right side of FIG. 10. The two light guiding holes512 b and 522 b are arranged to face one another.

For the purposes of illustration, in the embodiments of FIGS. 9-11, thecamera assembly 20 at the left side of FIG. 10 is referred to as thefirst camera assembly, and the camera assembly 20 at the right side ofFIG. 10 is referred to as the second camera assembly. In addition, thelight guiding assembly 40 b at the left side of FIG. 10 is referred toas the first light guiding assembly, and the light guiding assembly 40 bat the right side of FIG. 10 is referred to as the second light guidingassembly.

The second sides 412 b of the first and the second light guidingassemblies 40 b are arranged to be adjacent to one another. The firstand the second camera assemblies 20 are respectively adjacent to the twosecond sides 411 b of the two bases 41 b and disposed on the two bases41 b. In some embodiments, the first and the second light guidingassemblies 40 b are operated independently, and camera module 10 c isable to simultaneously utilize the first and the second cameraassemblies 20 to capture images for facilitating 2D photography or 3Dphotography.

As shown in FIG. 11, in some embodiments, the optical paths O1 of thefirst and the second camera assemblies 20 are located on the samestraight line. In addition, the plane on which the optical sensor 24 ofthe first camera assembly 20 is located is parallel to the plane onwhich the optical sensor 24 of the second camera assembly 20 is located.

In some embodiments, the magnetic element 271 of the first cameraassembly 20 and the magnetic element 271 of the second camera assembly20 are separated by a distance of D4. In addition, the light guidingholes 511 c and 512 c, respectively corresponding to the first and thesecond camera assemblies 20, are separated by a distance of D1. Thedistance D4 is greater than the distance D1. As a result, in cases wherethe electromagnetic driving unit 25 is operating normally, the distancebetween the two light guiding holes 511 c and 512 c is minimized, andthus the image quality and the image processing rate of the cameramodule 10 a for performing a 3D photography operation are improved.Additionally, the camera module 10 is able to perform 3D photography viathe light guiding holes formed on the first surface 51 c of the housing5 c or via the light guiding holes formed on the second surface 52 c ofthe housing 5 c.

In some embodiments, in cases where the two light guiding holes 511 cand 512 c are separated by a distance of less than 10 mm and theelectromagnetic driving unit 25 is operating normally, the distances D4between the magnetic elements 271 of the first and the second cameraassembly 20 is 27.36 mm; the distances D5 between the magnetic elementsof the two switching unit of first and the second light guidingassemblies 40 b is 8.20 mm; and the distance D6 between the magneticelement 271 and the switching unit 43 c is 9.58 mm. However, thedisclosure should not be limited thereto.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the interference level of theanti-vibration electromagnetic control in different positions. Theinterference level is a ratio (A/B) of the interference force (A) to thereaction force (B), in which the interference force (A) is a forcegenerated by the electromagnetic driving unit of another camera assemblyover the anti-vibration electromagnetic driving unit 25, and thereaction force (B) is a force generated by the anti-vibrationelectromagnetic driving unit 25. From the diagram shown in FIG. 12, incases where the OIS stroke of the anti-vibration electromagnetic drivingunit 25 is less than 120 um, the interference level is less than 5%.That is the anti-vibration electromagnetic driving unit 25 can operatenormally if the OIS stroke is within a specific range.

Embodiments of the camera module sufficiently address the problem due tomagnetic field interference while keeping the light guiding holes at arelatively short pitch. As a result, the duration of an exposure forproducing 3D images using the camera module can be increased, and theimage quality in dim surroundings is improved. In addition, since thelight for 3D photography enters the image-capturing module via the lightguiding holes which have a relatively short pitch, the processing timeis reduced and the image quality of the 3D photography is improvedaccordingly.

Although the embodiments and their advantages have been described indetail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, andalterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the embodiments as defined by the appended claims. Moreover,the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited tothe particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture,composition of matter, means, methods, and steps described in thespecification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readilyappreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture,compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing orlater to be developed, that perform substantially the same function orachieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodimentsdescribed herein may be utilized according to the disclosure.Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within theirscope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter,means, methods, or steps. In addition, each claim constitutes a separateembodiment, and the combination of various claims and embodiments arewithin the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera module, comprising: a plurality ofcamera assemblies, wherein each of the camera assemblies is configuredto receive and detect light passing through at least one of lightguiding holes and comprises: a lens unit; an electromagnetic drivingunit, comprising at least one magnetic element for controlling themovement of the lens unit; and a light guiding assembly, arranged to beadjacent to a first of the camera assemblies and configured to guide thelight, passing through the light guiding hole to which the first of thecamera assemblies is arranged to correspond, to the first of the cameraassemblies, wherein the light guiding assembly comprises: a light pathcontrol unit, pivotable about a rotation axis so as to guide the lightpassing through a first and a second of the light guiding holes, whichare arranged to be facing one another, to the first of the cameraassemblies; and a switching unit, comprising a magnetic elementconfigured to control a rotation angle of the light path control unit,wherein a distance between the magnetic element of the switching unitand the magnetic element of a second of the camera assemblies is greaterthan a distance between the first of the light guiding holescorresponding to the first of the camera assemblies and a third of thelight guiding holes corresponding to the second of the cameraassemblies; wherein the distance between two of the magnetic elements,which are closest to each other and respectively positioned in a firstand a second of the camera assemblies, is greater than the distancebetween two of the centers of the light through holes, to which thefirst and the second of the camera assemblies are arranged tocorrespond.
 2. The camera module as claimed in claim 1, wherein thefirst and the second of the camera assemblies are respectivelyconfigured to receive and detect light passing through two light guidingholes.
 3. The camera module as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first ofthe camera assemblies comprises an OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer)adapter for controlling the movement of the lens unit in the first ofthe camera assemblies along a direction perpendicular to an optical axisthereof; and the second of the camera assemblies comprises a VCM (voicecoil motor) for controlling the movement of the lens unit in the secondof the camera assemblies along an optical axis thereof.
 4. The cameramodule as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first and the second of thecamera assemblies each comprises an optical sensor, and a plane on whichthe optical sensor of the first of the camera assemblies is located isperpendicular to a plane on which the optical sensor of the second ofthe camera assemblies is located.
 5. The camera module as claimed inclaim 2, wherein the first of the camera assemblies comprises an OISadapter for controlling the movement of the lens unit in the first ofthe camera assemblies along a direction perpendicular to an optical axisthereof; and the second of the camera assemblies comprises an OISadapter for controlling the movement of the lens unit in the second ofthe camera assemblies along a direction perpendicular to an optical axisthereof.
 6. The camera module as claimed in claim 5, wherein the firstand the second of the camera assemblies each comprises an opticalsensor, and a plane on which the optical sensor of the first of thecamera assemblies is located is parallel to a plane on which the opticalsensor of the second of the camera assemblies is located.
 7. The cameramodule as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the magnetic elements isselected from a magnet or a yoke.
 8. The camera module as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the light guiding assembly is selected from a groupconsisting of a prism, a reflective mirror, and a refraction mirror.